Pneumatic tire.



R. S.l STRATTON.

n PNEuMAlc TIRE, APPLICATION FEKLED MAY'Z, 1914` 15,3 3%597; vPatented May 18,1915.

' Bf am.'

RDBERT S. STBATTON, OF RI-LLIA,'ONTARIO, CANADA.

PNEUMATIC TIRE.

Maasai.

.To all u1/10m it may concern I Be it known that l, Ronnn'r S. STnA'rroN, of the town of Orillia, Province'of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Tires,y of which the following is a specification.

vThis invention relates to means for pr7eventing the escape of air in theevent `of the 1 inner tube of a tire becoming punctured, and

my object is to devise a suitable attachment for the purpose and means for accurately positioning such attachment in the tire.

I attain vmy object by forming a tread cushion "substantially as hereinafter4 described and by providing the inside of the tire with annular lugsl between which the cushion is fitted in a state of compression, the saidy cushion being connected with the l' inner tube sovthat lthe positioning of the a further-modification -in position in an cushion also positions the inner tube.

The invention is illustrated in the accom-v panying drawings in which- Figure 1 1s a crossy section of a preferred forml of my attachment secured to the inner i tube and in position as it' appears when detached from the outer dover.

inner tube in place in the outerlcover.' Fig. 3 is a cross section of a modification in position Aas it appears detached from the outer cover; and Fig. is a cross section showing outer cover.

Inthe drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the di'erent figures.

l is an outer cover, inside which at each side is formed or secured an annular rib 2 extending completely around the cover. Preferably the faces of the ribs or lugs are concavely curved as shown.

3 is the inner tube. In one form the tread cushion comprises a flexible band 4, preferably of some textile fabric suchas cotton duck. This band is of suitable length to extend circumferentially around the tire within the cover. To this band is suitably' cemented or vulcanized a rubber cushion 5. In its simp est form this cushion is continuous from side to side and its ends are rounded to engage the inner faces of the ribs 2. Normally this rubber cushion is in an expanded condition, the band 4 bein approximately at in cross section, (see lgs.

epeciacanon of :Leners raient.

Fig. 2 is asimilar view showing the attachment and Patented May is, reis.

Application filed May 25 1914. Serial No. 840,945.

l and 3). When, however,fthe band is curved up to the form indicated yin Fig. 2, the rubber toward the' inner side yis compressed, and this compressionis increased when the tire is pumped'up.

The use of the flexible band '4 is not essential, as the cushion 5 may be formed of such a width that when it is forced into position between the ribs 2, the rubber 'is' laced in a state of compression, (see Fig. 4'.' l

While, as stated', a continuous `rubber cushion may be employed, (see "Figs` Sandv 4), preferably the cushion is divided circumferentially to form ribs 6, separated by narrow spaces. While the cushion may be used detached from the'inner tube as shown in Figli, it is preferably secured thereto as show-n in Figs.` 1 and 2. lVhen the rubber cushion is divided into ribs as shown, I find that itis possible to make' tne cushion of a low grade of rubber, particularly 'if an inner cilsliion 7 of high grade elastic rubber be employed, vulcanized or otherwise 4suitably secured to ,the inner sides of theribs. 'This cushion? is preferably formed as part of the inner tube 3. When the cushion 5 is formed of a low grade of rubber and is Adivided into ribs by spaces, it is readily forced into position between the annular lugs 2 despite the comparative lack of elasticity of the low grade rubber, While the inner cushion 7 is very markedly compressed.

It will be seen that the annular ribs 2.--

form a very convenient means of positioning the tread cushion and of holding it in place. They also afford ready means for effecting a compression of the tread cushion so that the flexible `band 4 may be dispensed with.

In the preferred form in which the inner tube 3'is secured to the tread cushion, the

annular ribs 2 also perform a very important function in accurately positioning the inner tube `and of enabling it to be inserted into the cover without being first partly inthe cover. enables the inner tube and the attachment,

The use of the annular ribs 2 toA be placed in position vwith the greatest ease, and so that any dan er of damaging the inner tube is entirely o `viated.

Vhat I claim as my invention is:

l. A puncture closingpneumatic tire comprising a tire cover,an annular lug inside the cover at each side adjacent the tread, an inner tube, and anannular rubbertread cushion secured to the tread surface yofthe inner tube, said tread cushion being' nornia-ily of greater Width at its inner side than the are between said lugs which it follows when in place, and held between the said lugs with its inner side in a state ofcompression.

2. In a' puncture closing pneumatic tire the combination of a tire cover, an annular lug inside thecover at each side adjacent the tread,and an annular tread cushion `fitted betweensaidlugs comprising a plurality vof circumferential ribs connected attheir outer circumferences land normally separated by spaces and a 'band-shaped' compressible inner rubberfcushion to which thel inner sides of theribs are` connected,-v the tread cushion fbeingso shaped and proportioned that when 'int'..psitionl in the tire the )gibs arepressed into. Contact toward. theirinnerciicumfer- I ences and the inner rubber cushion isin a 3.0

state of compression; and an `inner tube withvwhich the aforesaid-inner 'rubber cush- .ionis integral.

puncture closingv `pneumatic"ti-re the combination of a tire cover, lan annular lug inside the cover at each side adjacent the tread, and anfannulafr treadr ci'1shion"iitted between 'said' lugs comprising a bandv 'of flexible nonstretchable material and 'a vrubber. cushion'YV connected thereto, .said :rubberVA 4. In apuncture closing pneumatic tire i -the combination of a tire cover, an annular' lug inside the cover at each side adjacent the tread,and an annular tread cushion fitted between said 'lugs comprising..aband of flexible non-stretchable material, a plurality of circumferential ribs normally separated f by spaces and a band-shaped eompressible'j inner rubber cushion to which 4the 'inner' sides of the ribs are connected, Athe'tread cushion being so shaped and proportioned that vwhen in position in the tirelthe ribs'a're pressed into contact and the inner rubber' cushion is 1n a state of compression.

' A ROBERT S; STRATTON.

7 M. B Q TUDHors,

J. S. CULL.

-. y 6o Orillia, Cnt., this thirteenth' day of Maw" 

